The direct production of methyl, ethyl and n-butyl carbamates (MC, EC and BC) from NH3, CO2 and alcohols could efficiently be catalyzed by V2O5, and ca. 11–25% yields with 98% selectivity for alkyl carbamates could be obtained. The catalyst could be recycled six times without obvious decrease in catalytic activity. XRD and XPS analysis showed that in-situ produced (NH4)2V3O8 was the catalytically active species.

Keywords: Carbon dioxide; Vanadium(V)-oxide catalyst; Fixation; Alkyl carbamates

★★★☆☆ Catalysis Communications 12 (2011) 1224–1227